Former professional footballer Mark Sunley and ex-hockey star Sean Wilson ensure students at Guisborough's Laurence Jackson School get the best possible sporting chances.

Mark, who played for Boro, Darlington, Hartlepool and Newcastle in a nine-year pro career, and Sean, who represented England at U16, U18 and U21 level, are government-funded to work full time as the school's sports development officers.

Now the school is planning to extend its sporting prowess with a bold development plan over the next five years.

Head teacher Rob Campbell said: "We were delighted to become a specialist sports college in 2002 for our work in developing sporting talent as well as working with the community.

"We can celebrate what we've achieved in that first phase and use it as an ideal foundation to set out what we want to do over the next few years, planning to be even more adventurous."

Mr Campbell added: "One of the key aspects has been our ability to bring in Mark and Sean as high-quality coaches.

"They inspire our young sportsmen and sportswomen through their own achievements and we've seen the benefits across all our sports teams."

But the bid to renew specialist status, drawn up by Rob and former director of specialism Su Gill, is also looking forward to "raising aspirations" across the curriculum.

Rob said: "We want to increase accreditation and sporting qualifications, but we also want to develop leadership qualities."

The council's head of achievement and inclusion Marian Simmons said: "It's a real credit to the school's commitment to offering greater opportunities for young people to lead successful, enjoyable and healthy lives."